earth bag build, photos

This is my earth bag,still under contruction,but I live there with my family for 2yr.
Its been great,very good insulation with my amish cook stove,in hot summer stays cool.I build it very cheap.....
I did lime,cement plaster,stucco this yr. And painted it.the way they do in europe,
Throw it on ,I did 3 coats ,3rd coat was finish ,no cracks!
I tried cob plaster ,but......I did not like it.this feels much more strong...

It is 22 feet diameter inside.I think it should be 360 sqft or so. I made form on top and poured concrete with rebars and build 2nd story on top of it (frame....not that dirt cheap )
Which is another 450sqft.Thats our bedroom where we all sleep.

I started my additions ,so i should have another 760 sqft.(3beds and bath) of living space which will be post/beam and dirt bag mixed up construction.On the front im building greenhouse thats attached to the building.
My inside is still bags exposed.Have no pics right now.I will coat the bags with plaster and then have 2x4s around and finish walls with sheetrock.my floor is compacted dirt ,so have to finish that also.

I dig trench 20"deep by 24"wide and filled with gravel and compacted,thats my foundation.
The walls are 22" thick including plaster,im in central idaho(elevation 2000') ,we have moderate winters and it works great so far.

I build this after work and saturdays/sundays ,95% myself......i think i spent 5000 on all material which dirt construction was probably 1500.
I think if I work every day ,long hours it would take me 14days for my 22' dirtbag first floor 8feet high with the foundation.

martin cubak

Posts: 16

posted 3 years ago

1

Just wanted to share pics from plastering of inside of the house which i finally finished few weeks ago .It took 2days 2guys of hard work.One guy mixing (with el.mixer.) and other plastering.

If you dont have experience it will take much longer .... we both know what we doing so it can be done fast.

Would wish i could video and youtube it so you could see it......not enough time and slow internet connection .

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martin cubak

Posts: 16

posted 3 years ago

Enough of seeing bags and living on dirt dusty floor for 2yr.

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martin cubak

Posts: 16

posted 3 years ago

The end ....for now ...more bags building next spring....no more round ! rooms ...not that dont like it ,but straight walls = really easier plastering.

Great job! Looks beautiful. May I ask where your property is located? My fiance and I are trying to build a small earth bag home and are looking to buy land in an area with building codes that would allow for this

martin cubak

Posts: 16

posted 3 years ago

1

Hi Mack

we live in Idaho,Idaho County,i didn't ask anybobdy ,just start building

you don't need permit for building,you need here only for electric,maybe plumbing not sure,but if you outside of town...........all up to you.

This is a bit of an old thread and it doesn't look like Martin has posted here in quite a while. 6 months or so.

martin cubak

Posts: 16

posted 2 years ago

I started adding to my existing bag house .I plan to go up to 5feet (those bags getting kind of heavy )
and pour concrete on top and rest frame.
Make it little easier on me.
Here few pics. I will also do the same on other side probably September. Anybody interested..... stop by.